Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars

10/20/2026

The Texas VFW State Surgeon’s quarterly newsletter is now available! Andrea Ortiz shares a call to prioritize our health, check on our comrades, and help Veterans and their families stay connected to care and support as we close out 2026.

This quarter introduces the Monthly Comrade Wellness Challenges:

• October | Prevention Starts With You: Schedule an overdue appointment or preventive screening and encourage a fellow Veteran to prioritize their health.

• November | Honoring Veterans Through Action: Make a healthier choice, reconnect with a comrade, and include a Veteran or surviving spouse in your Thanksgiving plans.

• December | No Comrade Left Behind: Care for your emotional wellness, check on someone experiencing grief or isolation, and extend kindness to a Veteran or military family.

Posts, Districts, Auxiliary members, Veterans, and families: take part, share your efforts, and tag Texas VFW and Texas VFW State Surgeon Andrea Ortiz! Please obtain permission before sharing anyone’s photos or personal stories.

Read the quarterly State Surgeon Newsletter:
https://issuu.com/texasvfw/docs/state_surgeon_newsletter_october_2026_

Let’s turn awareness into action, one challenge, one Post, and one comrade at a time.

10/20/2026

Texas VFW joined the Texas Veterans Commission, American Legion, DAV, and fellow Veteran advocates today in Austin to discuss protecting earned benefits, confronting predatory VA claims practices, and improving access to services across Texas. The VSO Roundtable brings Veteran organizations and agency leaders together to identify needs, discuss legislative priorities, and strengthen support for Veterans and their families.

At American Legion Travis Post 76, participants joined TVC Executive Director Thomas “Tom” Palladino for continued collaboration on issues affecting the Veteran community.

Texas VFW’s Mitch Fuller discussed legislative priorities, including the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. VFW opposes provisions that would fund expanded benefits through changes affecting future disability compensation for tinnitus and sleep apnea. Our position: Veterans’ earned benefits should not be reduced to pay for other Veterans’ benefits.

Participants also discussed h**p policy and “claim sharks”, unaccredited businesses that exploit Veterans seeking VA benefits. Veterans should know: VA-accredited VSO representatives provide claims assistance free of charge. VFW membership is not required to receive assistance.

The agenda also includes statewide service recommendations, Texas Veterans Access, grant opportunities, and coordinated outreach to help more Veterans find available support.

Texas VFW participants included Mitch Fuller, Service Officer Miles Nelson, and IT Director and Media representative Jason Caruso. Casey Wade, a past District 28 commander, attended in his Texas Workforce Commission role with the Texas Veterans Leadership Program.

Advocating for all Veterans means bringing their concerns forward, protecting earned benefits, and sharing reliable information that helps Veterans make informed decisions.

Find free, accredited claims assistance at texasvfw.org.

10/19/2026

After a devastating fire back in April, VFW Post 8541 in San Antonio has officially reopened its doors. The Veterans and community volunteers came together over the last six months to completely remodel and restore this vital historic 1973 landmark.
Welcome back, Post 8541. Learn more 👇

The post, established in 1973, features a new outdoor mural honoring multiple military branches.

10/18/2026

On October 18, Texas VFW recognizes the service and sacrifice of women who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces.

This date marks the 1997 dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Now known as the Military Women’s Memorial, it preserves generations of women’s service stories as an essential part of our nation’s military history.

This recognition honors women’s contributions and acknowledges the barriers they have faced in service and in being recognized as Veterans, part of the shared history of our Veteran community.

We honor that history and the women Veterans beside us today, our fellow members, leaders, neighbors, and comrades. Thank you for your service.

10/15/2026

Gratitude is more than something we say. It is time we choose to give.

This November, Texas VFW is challenging every Post to give a Veteran at least 30 minutes of genuine connection.

No agenda. No recruiting pitch. No meeting business. Just time, attention, and conversation.

Prepare now to complete Challenge #3:

• Choose a Veteran, especially someone outside your normal circle
• Reach out with a call, text, visit, or knock on the door
• Spend at least 30 minutes together
• Listen and let the conversation go wherever it needs to go

Share coffee and donuts, host a pancake breakfast, go fishing, take a walk or ruck, go work out, or simply sit and talk. The activity does not need to be elaborate. What matters is making time for a fellow Veteran and showing through your actions that they are valued.

This November, give thanks by giving your time.

Need assistance with this challenge or any su***de prevention initiative at your Post?

Jack Bruso
Texas VFW Su***de Prevention Chair
[email protected]

If a Veteran is in crisis or you are concerned about one, call 988, then press 1, text 838255, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net
Support is available 24/7.

***depreventionawareness

10/14/2026

Mark your calendar for the Texas VFW Mid-Winter Conference January 14-17th, Corpus Christi, Texas!

Tickets are available for the Mid-Winter Banquet: https://square.link/u/Jfg8JtgF

Make plans to join VFW members, Auxiliary members, and guests in Corpus Christi for an evening of camaraderie and recognition as we celebrate Texas students and announce our state winners in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarship competitions.

Room Blocks will be announced shortly, follow our events and stay tuned for more announcements!

10/13/2026

Tickets are now available for the 2027 Texas VFW Mid-Winter Banquet!
Get your tickets: https://square.link/u/Jfg8JtgF

For more information: www.texasvfw.org

10/13/2026

Marking the full U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, Texas VFW State and National Legislative Chair Mitch Fuller reminds Veterans that the VFW is a vital resource and a powerful voice for their future. Read more 👇

U.S. troops officially pulled out of Iraq on Sept. 30, ending more than two decades of operations in the country. U.S. forces invaded Iraq in March 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

10/13/2026

Happy 251st birthday to the United States Navy from Texas VFW!

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized two armed vessels to intercept ships carrying supplies to the British Army, marking the beginning of the Continental Navy and the origins of today’s U.S. Navy.

Today, we salute the Sailors who serve and the Navy veterans who carry that pride into our Posts and communities across Texas. Thank you for your service, your camaraderie, and the sea stories that somehow get better every year.

10/12/2026

Texas VFW wishes our members, Auxiliary, families, and communities a safe and pleasant Columbus Day.